As you consider how to make the greatest impact for your students, think of data as your most powerful asset. Schoolrunner equips school and district leaders with data, ensuring they can use robust information to directly address students’ areas of growth and enhance their strengths. You also can use this data to then maximize your fundraising efforts—whether via email, at individual coffee meetings with key donors, or at your school’s next event. The next question, for many, then becomes:

How do I maximize my event’s fundraising potential?

In our latest Fundraising Secrets Series webinar, which you can view here, Kristina Saccone highlights three tactics you can leverage as a part of an effective event fundraising strategy.

A Data-Driven Fundraising Ask

Which of the following statements compel you to make a donation? “Support our efforts to provide books for all of our third graders” OR “We need your help to raise $500 for a set of early literacy materials that can ensure all of our third graders can read at grade level at the end of the year, leading to long-term academic success.”

The second statement is stronger, as it outlines a clear, tangible goal (reading at grade level) and offers impact data that enables funders to measure the return on their investment (long-term academic success). For any fundraising ask, make sure to not only highlight big goals that a financial contribution can advance; also outline measures (such as academic proficiency, growth, and attendance) that gauge progress toward those goals.

In-Event Fundraising Tactics

Your school’s events can serve as the ideal forum to make that data-driven fundraising ask, appealing to a diverse range of prospective funders on how a contribution can advance your key goals. As you plan events, coordinating ticket sales, planning sponsorship opportunities, or soliciting donated goods, these also are channels through which you can elevate and amplify that fundraising ask and increase donations in the process:

Highlight the programs or services that the “price of admission” will support. Individuals are more likely to purchase a ticket if they know it can fund additional classroom materials—or supports for a student.

Connect sponsorships to impact and visibility. Again, local businesses may be more inclined to donate if they can tie their contribution to tangible outcomes for students. You can also highlight how sponsorships can lead to opportunities for free publicity.

Ensure more of your funds can make a direct impact. In addition to monetary donations, organizations can also contribute in-kind or donated goods that can serve as centerpieces for auctions or giveaways. Cash proceeds from these items can then directly support your key goals.

Maximizing Donations

Fundraising does not have to occur only at the event itself. You can prominently feature a donation link on the event page itself as well as in any related correspondence, ensuring individuals can easily make a contribution. And you can sustain momentum from the event by offering personalized thank you emails and broader, follow-up correspondence, both of which would include a call-to-action to provide further support via a contribution or in-kind donation.

With these fundraising tactics, you can ensure your school’s next event is one of your most effective fund and network development efforts of the year.